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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and do what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the international team.

Having come back last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the front," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's initial two scores came in the opening 11 minutes while additional players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various elements throughout the match, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.